On 14 October, Pulp Fiction turns 32. Quentin Tarantino's crime classic opened in American cinemas on that date in 1994, months after it had stunned Cannes by winning the Palme d'Or. More than three decades on, the dance contest, the briefcase and the diner stand-off still feel as fresh as the day they first hit the screen.
So pour yourself a coffee (black, naturally) and join us for a fan-to-fan look back at how a low-budget, out-of-order story about hitmen, boxers and a gangster's wife changed modern film. For more big-screen favourites, browse our Movies collection.
Pulp Fiction Fact File
| Released | 21 May 1994 (Cannes premiere); 14 October 1994 (US) |
|---|---|
| Director | Quentin Tarantino |
| Writers | Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary |
| Producer | Lawrence Bender |
| Distributor | Miramax Films |
| Main cast | John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel |
| Budget | About $8.5 million |
| Box office | About $213 million worldwide |
| Setting | Los Angeles |
Key Facts
| Year | Release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Cannes Film Festival premiere | Wins the Palme d'Or from a jury led by Clint Eastwood |
| 1994 | US cinema release, 14 October | Becomes a box-office hit, earning over $100 million in the US |
| 1995 | Golden Globes | Six nominations; Tarantino wins Best Screenplay |
| 1995 | 67th Academy Awards | Seven nominations; wins Best Original Screenplay |
| 1995 | BAFTA Film Awards | Samuel L. Jackson wins Best Supporting Actor |
| 2013 | National Film Registry | Selected for preservation by the US Library of Congress |
Budget and box-office figures are approximate, in US dollars and not adjusted for inflation. Award counts refer to the ceremonies held in early 1995 for films of 1994.
Three Stories, One Classic
Pulp Fiction braids together the stories of hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, boxer Butch Coolidge and Mia Wallace, the wife of crime boss Marsellus Wallace, and tells them out of order. That nonlinear structure, packed with long, funny, pop-culture-heavy conversations, became Tarantino's calling card. It was only his second feature, after Reservoir Dogs (1992), and it made him one of the most talked-about filmmakers in the world.
Celebrate the film with our Pulp Fiction Men's Hoodie.
The Comeback and That Dance
The film is widely credited with reviving John Travolta's career. His Vincent Vega, sharing a dance-contest turn with Uma Thurman's Mia at the retro Jack Rabbit Slim's, became one of the most recognisable scenes of the decade. Travolta, Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson all earned Oscar nominations for their performances.
Take to the floor in our Pulp Fiction Dance Movie Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Jules, Words and Swagger
Samuel L. Jackson's Jules gave the film much of its fire, and his performance won him the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor in 1995. He was not at the ceremony, so Travolta collected the award for him. His exchanges with Vincent, from burgers in France to big talk in a small apartment, are still quoted by fans everywhere.
Pay tribute to Jules with our Pulp Fiction Say What Again Movie Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Awards
Festivals
- Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival 1994
Academy Awards
- Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary (won)
- Nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress and Film Editing
Golden Globes and BAFTAs
- Golden Globe for Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino
- BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor: Samuel L. Jackson
Behind the Scenes
The film was shot around Los Angeles. The opening and closing diner scenes were filmed at the Hawthorne Grill, a closed-down Googie-style coffee shop that has since been demolished. Jack Rabbit Slim's had a real exterior in Glendale, but its interior, like the pawnshop basement, was built in the production's warehouse in Culver City.
FAQs
When was Pulp Fiction released?
It premiered at Cannes on 21 May 1994 and opened in US cinemas on 14 October 1994.
Who directed Pulp Fiction?
Quentin Tarantino, who co-wrote the story with Roger Avary.
How many Oscars did Pulp Fiction win?
One. It won Best Original Screenplay from seven nominations, including Best Picture.
Where was Pulp Fiction filmed?
In and around Los Angeles, including Hawthorne, Glendale, Atwater Village and a warehouse set in Culver City.
Did Pulp Fiction win the Palme d'Or?
Yes. It won the top prize at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.
Who played Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction?
John Travolta, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for the role.
Shop the Pulp Fiction Collection
Browse every fan design in our Pulp Fiction range below.
Discover more film favourites in our Movies collection, or create your own with our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Goodfellas: Scorsese's Gangster Classic, Cast and Awards and Taxi Driver at 50: The Story, the Cast and the Legacy.
0 comments